Folding crate and coop.



' 0.3. JENNINGS a; 0. D. SH-UPTRINE.

FOLDING CRATE AND 0001.

APPLICATION riLnn r113. 1a, 1008.

Patented June 22, 1909.

WITNESSES:

earns PATENT ora ion CHARLES E. JENNINGS AND ORLANDER D. SIIUPTRINE, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.

FOLDING CRATE AND COOP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1909.

Application filed February 18, 1908. Serial No. s16,9'7.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, OI-IARLEs E. JEN-I xmcs and ORLANDER D. SHUPTRINE, citizens of the United States, residing at Houston, in the county of Harris and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Crates and Coops, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in folding crates and coops. One object of this invention is to improve the construction of crates and to provide one capable of being compactly folded, so that it will not occupy more than onefourth the floor space when folded, as when in use.

Further objects of the invention are to enable crates to be made substantial and securely locked one part to other, when folded or in operative position, to prevent it from accidentally collapsing, and to afford ready means of access to the interior from either the top or ends and to enable it to be conveniently cleansed.

Finally the object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described that will be strong, durable and efficient, and simple and comparatively inexpensive to construct, also one in which the several parts will not be liable to get out of working order.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention has relation to certain novel features of construct-ion and operation, an example of which is described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved crate, Fig. 2 is an end elevation, Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view, Fig. 4 is a plan view of one corner, Fig. 5 is a partial vertical section of one corner, and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the crate folded.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates an open top or cover having its edges formed of stout fiat bars 15 secured together at the corners. Spring latches 6, preferably of strong spring steel are disposed at the corners and act as an additional brace.

The crate is formed with a solid bottom 3, to each end of which, ends or end-gates 4: are hinged to swing inward and down onto the same. The spring latches 6 engage the ends 4: as shown in Fig. 5 and hold same in position. Along the side strips 2 are secured to the under-sides of the side bars 15 and support sides or side-gates 5, hinged at their ends to the ends of the strips. The bottom rests on rails 7 secured to the lower inner sides of the sides as shown in Fig. '3.

For holding the parts in position a rectangular frame 8 fits snugly about the out-side of the crate and carries at each end, latches 9 like the latches 6. These latches are adapted to engage the ends of the bottom and hold the same in place; while the frame prevent the sides from swinging outward.

W hen it is desired to fold the crate, the ends 4 are first swung down onto the bottom 3, the spring latches 6 of course having first been withdrawn. The crate is then inverted and the end latches 9 withdrawn, permitting the bottom to be lowered onto the top and the frame 8 also lowered about the strips 2 and rest on the projecting portions of the bars 15. The sides 5 may now be swung down and in, the rails 7 resting on the bottom 3. The end latches may be engaged with the folded parts to hold them in position.

It is obvious by observing Fig. 6 which shows the crate folded that the parts are reduced to a convenient form and the crate occupies comparatively little space when folded in comparison to the space occupied when it is opened and ready for use.

What we claim is:

1. In a folding crate, a rigid top, a solid bottom, sides having hinged connection with the top and having their lower ends passing down on each side of the bottom, ends hinged to the bottom and adapted to swing inward thereon, movable means surrounding the lower ends of the sides and ends for holding the same in position, and resilient devices for fastening the parts in position.

2. In a folding crate, a top, sides having hinged connection with the top and adapted to swing inward, a bottom supported by the sides, ends pivoted to said bottom to swing inward thereon, a loose frame engaging about the sides and ends, means for holding the ends in engagement with the top, and means for holding the frame and the bottom in fixed relation to the sides.

3. In a folding crate, a top, strips fixed to the top, sides hinged to the strips and adapted to swing inward, said sides carrying supports, a bottom resting on said supports, ends hinged to said bottom and adapted to swing inward thereon, a loose frame surrounding the ends and sides, means carried by the frame for holding the bottom and sides in fixed relation therewith, and means for holding the ends in position. 7

4. In a folding crate, a top, sides having hinged connection with the top, a loose bot- In testimony whereof We have signed 0111 10' names to this speclficatlon in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES E. JENNINGS. ORLANDER D. SHUPTRINE.

Vitnesses VVM. A. CATHY, M. HEAFER. 

